SUST, Oct 12 (UNB) – Police on Friday detained two students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for carrying out unlawful activities on the campus ahead of the first year admission tests to be held on Saturday.

The detainees are Tanjil Ahmed, final year student of Food Engineering department and Ilias Hossain, a third-year student of Anthropology department of the university.

Members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) SUST unit claimed they found concrete proof that the duo were involved in spreading rumours about the university’s Shah Poran Hall on their respective Facebook accounts.

Later, they handed those to Jalalabad Police Station in presence of admission test disciplinary committee chief Prof Rashed Talukdar around 10:30 pm, said Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Dhaka, Oct 12 (UNB) – The leaders and BNP, Jukta Front and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya on Friday finalised a draft framework of greater national unity with identical demands and goals to force the government to hold a fair and neutral election.

Nagorik Oikya convener and Jukta Front member secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna came up with the announcement after a meeting of the senior leaders of BNP and the two alliances at Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) president ASM Abdur Rob’s Uttara residence.      

“We’ve almost finalised a draft framework to take the national unity process forward. We’ve done it combining the demands and goals of all parties,” he said.

Manna said they will finalise the draft framework of the national unity at another meeting on Saturday. 

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the formation of the national unity is now almost at the final stage. “We’ll present it before the nation very soon.”

BNP sources said the senior leaders are likely to hold a meeting at Oikya Prokriya convener Dr Kamal Hossain’s residence on Saturday afternoon to finalise the framework of the greater unity.

Apart from Mosharraf and Manna, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee member Moudud Ahmed, JDS president ASM Rob, general secretary Abdul MalekRatan, Gano Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, executive president Subrata Chowdhury, Jatiya Oikya Prokriya leader Sultan Mohammad Mansur, its member secretary ABM Mostafa Amin, Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Bikolpo Dhara Bangladesh joint secretary general Mahi B Chowdhury were present at the meeting.
 

Dhaka, Oct 12 (UNB) - Bangladesh has been elected a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the next three years in an election that took place in New York on Friday.

"Bangladesh has so far won thrice 2009-2012, 2015-2017 and 2019-2021 during the tenures of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told UNB.

Bangladesh bagged 178 votes in the election where the members of the UN General Assembly voted, he said.

The State Minister also said the election result signifies international community's trust and confidence in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh delegates at the UNHRC meeting. Photo: Courtesy

He said the HRC is active on Rohingya issue and an accountability mechanism is in the process through HRC. "Bangladesh's presence in the HRC is extremely important."

Bangladesh will serve as the UN rights body member for the 2019-21 tenure, he said.

“It is an important milestone for the country,” the State Minister added.

He also said that Bangladesh (178 votes) secured more votes than Bahrain and Philippines (165 votes).

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.

It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN Office at Geneva.

The Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly.

The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Dhaka, Oct 12 (UNB) - Bangladesh and Myanmar are likely to sit later this month to discuss the Rohingya repatriation issues as Myanmar has failed to take steps to ensure safe and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland, says a senior official. 

“Yes, we’re in discussion about the next joint working group (JWG) meeting. The meeting is likely to be held on October 30, if not October 28,” the official told UNB on Friday.

Officials said Bangladesh will seek updates on what steps are taken for the safe and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar from Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the 73rd UN General Assembly made three recommendations for solving the Rohingya crisis at its root, including the abolition of discriminatory laws, policies and practices of Myanmar against the minority group.

According to her second recommendation, Myanmar must create an acceptable environment by building trust and guaranteeing protection, rights and pathway to citizenship for all Rohingyas. If needed, it should create a “safe zone” inside the country to protect all civilians.

Her third recommendation says atrocious crimes against Rohingyas in Myanmar should be prevented by bringing accountability and justice, particularly in the light of recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission of the UN Human Rights Council.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has emphasised the need for accelerating efforts to create a conducive environment in northern Rakhine State and build houses and villages for returnees to facilitate repatriation. 

Minister Ali along with joint working group members in August this year visited the northern Rakhine State and saw the ‘trail of widespread devastation’ suffered by people there, said the Foreign Ministry officials.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister also visited Shwe Zar village where around 148 prefabricated houses for returnees are being built with assistance from the government of India. 

Bangladesh and Myanmar formed the Joint Working Group (JWG) on December 2017 to start repatriating Rohingya refugees by January 23, 2018.
 

Dhaka, Oct 12 (UNB) – Cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ which earlier turned into a deep depression over Odisha and adjoining area of India moved northeastwards and weakened further into a depression over Odish-Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining area.

It is likely to move northeastwards further inland and weaken gradually, said a Met office special bulletin.

Under the influence of the depression, steep pressure gradient persists over the North Bay and deep convection is taking place over the North Bay and coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Squally weather is likely to affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.